posted 11-05-2011 10:45 AM
I am looking for a high quality model rocket for the Mercury Redstone and German V2. The Estes seem too simple at skill level 2. Does anyone have a source for high quality model rockets?

Henk BoshuijerMember

Posts: 379From: NetherlandsRegistered: May 2007

posted 11-05-2011 07:13 PM
The German webstore Andromeda24 has a few models of the V2 rocket.

Jay ChladekMember

Posts: 2211From: Bellevue, NE, USARegistered: Aug 2007

posted 11-07-2011 11:02 AM
Estes at one time did a VERY nice Mercury Redstone, which was originally offered by Centuri (Estes own design Redstone in 1/44 scale got retired when Centuri was bought out by Estes). The last version of that kit (as LB7 I believe) may seem simple as a Skill Level 2 offering, but it was originally a Skill level 3 at least until Estes made some parts refinements. In my opinion, don't let the Skill level make you think it isn't challenging enough as it is not an easy build. Plus, the capsule is going to require some modification unless you plan to do it as Alan Shepherd's Freedom 7 capsule with the portholes on the side (LB7 had the window).

As for V-2s, all the flying ones I've seen lately are pretty simplified. There are enough details out there though that you could likely scratch a pretty good scale offering. The best flying one I can recall from a scale standpoint was the old Estes Maxi Brute kit, but those are somewhat hard to find these days for anything less than a kings ransom (Estes Redstones are easier to find by comparison).

There is also the option of plastic model conversion to a flying rocket. Pegasus has done a V2 in 1/48 that could probably be mini-engine powered and Glencoe makes the Jupiter C in 1/48 as well. Lengthen the Jupiter and stick a Revell 1/48 Mercury on top (the Revell Mercury Gemini double kit in 1/48 scale is being reissued early next year) and you could have the makings of some very nice looking models.

MikeSpaceunregistered

posted 11-18-2011 03:10 PM
Estes also had a real nice Mercury Atlas that had silver reflective sticker type 'decals' [I dont know the lingo] but I built one and it turned out well.

The models are more challenging than 'Level 2'. The Escape Tower/capsule assembly has a lot of small parts, and painting/detailing this is a challenge if one hasn't done a lot of modeling.